I'd practically known him since birth. Heck, we’d literally shared a crib as babies at his mom’s daycare.

Then I’d crushed on him hard when we hit middle school but he wouldn’t give geeky, glasses-wearing me the time of day. When his mom made him take me to the sixth grade dance, he’d humiliated me and I vowed to never talk to him again.

The next year when my family moved away, I told myself that if I never saw him again it’d be too soon.

Now I’m back and attending the same college, but I’m no longer the skinny, ugly girl who was so infatuated with him. And I’m so over him it’s not even funny.

But now that I’m no longer the ugly duckling, he’s set his sights on me, and I’m just not sure what to do with that.

Harper Bentley has taught high school English for 22 years. Although she’s managed to maintain her sanity regardless of her career choice, jumping into the world of publishing her own books goes to show that she might be closer to the ledge than was previously thought.

After traveling the nation in her younger years as a military brat, having lived in Alaska, Washington State and California, she now resides in Oklahoma with her teenage daughter, two dogs and one cat, happily writing stories that she hopes her readers will enjoy.

From popular romance author Kate Meader comes the second novel in Hot in Chicago, a brand-new, sizzling series that follows a group of firefighting foster siblings and their blazing hot love interests!

As the only female firefighter at Engine Co. 6, Alexandra Dempsey gets it from all sides: the male coworkers who think she can’t do the job, the wives and girlfriends who see her as a threat to their firefighter men, and her overprotective foster brothers who want to shelter their baby sister at all costs. So when she single-handedly saves the life of Eli Cooper, Chicago’s devastatingly handsome mayor, she assumes the respect she’s longed for will finally come her way. But it seems Mr. Mayor has other ideas…

Eli Cooper’s mayoral ratings are plummeting, his chances at reelection dead in the water. When a sexy, curvaceous firefighter gives him the kiss of life, she does more than bring him back to the land of the living—she also breathes vitality into his campaign. Riding the wave of their feel-good story might prop up Eli’s flagging political fortunes, but the sizzling attraction between them can go nowhere; he’s her boss, and there are rules that must be obeyed. But you know what they say about rules: they’re made to be broken…

I knew I wanted to read this book. I read Flirting With Fire and the novella Melting Point and enjoyed the characters and their banter a whole bunch. However, I don't think you need to read them to love Playing With Fire. This is a book that you are going to want to read in one sitting (who needs sleep when you love reading?). It has great chemistry, great humor and very sexy scenes!

Eli Copper is the Major of Chicago. He has a thing for firefighter Alexandra Dempsey. A thing he tries to fight with every fiber of his body. You see, Eli believes that he can't be with Alex because technically he's her boss. He knows that Alex pushes all his buttons. She either make him want to wring her neck or he wants to make passionate love to her. He really can't decide. When the perfect excuse comes up to spend more alone time with her, he can't seem to stay away any longer. Like a moth, he's attracted to the light. But, he might just get burned....

Alexandra Dempsey is the only adoptive daughter of a family of firefighters. She's impetuous, determined, brave and extremely loyal to her family. She would do anything for them, including fake-dating the pompous pretty boy major. Yes, he might be incredible attractive but who wants to be with him, right?

It makes it harder for Alex and Eli to have a real relationship when the Dempseys don't see eye to eye with the Major, for several reasons. Which brings me to another point I want to make. This family is amazing! Tempers run hot (Luke and Alex), guys are too hot (all of them), one is keeping secrets (Wyatt) and the heroines are smart and sassy.

I tell you, this is a good series with incredible chemistry and banter.

“Forty pounds of equipment up a gazillion flights of stairs. Not only can she save the lives of men twice her size before she’s had breakfast, but I would happily put my safety in her hands and trust that she could crush the nuts of anyone who tried to harm me.”

Cliffhanger: No

4.5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have never read any books by Kate Meader before, and after reading this book, I know I will be reading books by her in the future. Kate's writing in this book was so addictive. I read this book in one sitting. I seriously could not put it down. I was surprised with how funny this book was! I laughed out loud so many times because of how sassy Alex was.

I started off hating Eli. I hated the way he viewed women and how he seemed to do whatever he wanted. However, I slowly fell in love with him just like Alex did. It was nice to see his character develop as he opened up to Alex. I went through the same issues Alex did, because I also hated him and loved him at the same time. Eli was just so infuriatingly sexy that I couldn't help but fall in love with him over time.

I really liked the romance between Eli and Alex because it felt naturally paced. It was so much fun to watch Eli try and win Alex over. Their chemistry was off the charts! This lead to some steamy sex scenes. I liked that the sex scenes were not overly done and that they did not take over the entire book.

Alex and Eli both made some dumb choices that annoyed me. Eli would act like a prick and keep secrets, and Alex would overreact and be immature. However, those things aside, I really loved this book. I definitely will continue to read this series, and I will have to go back and read the book before this one. I think anyone who loves steamy romances will adore this book.

4 - 4.5 / 5 Fangs

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.*

Once again Kate Meader blows me away with her fantastic
storytelling.

Alexandra Dempsey is a female firefighter for the CFD.She’s not your typical woman.She’s loud, compulsive and has absolutely no
filter. When she gets under Mayor Eli Cooper’s skin sparks fly.

Eli doesn’t believe women should be in the CFD because they
aren’t as physically strong as men.Will
these two complete opposites be able to resist each other? Or will their
opposite attitudes make them fall for each other even harder?

**

I really, REALLY loved this book.Alex is such a strong heroine (even though
her mouth gets her in a lot of trouble). She’s loyal to a fault and fiercely
protective of her family.But she wants
more in live, she’s tired of the dates and wants to find her one true love.

When she gets around Eli you can instantly tell that she
despises the man. With his misogynistic views of women, Alex is constantly
giving him hell.One of my favorite
things when reading is when the two main characters that constantly go
head-to-head. It keeps the story flowing at such a quick pace.

One thing I love about this series is the fierceness of the
family. Alex and her foster siblings would move mountains for each other.I love their protectiveness and their
openness and humor.I’m so excited to
read the next book about another sibling.

If you’re looking for a super fun, super sweet and sexy read
you have to check out this fantastic series by Kate Meader.You’ll be entertained until the very last
page!

4/5 FANGS

*complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

How do you move on after losing the person you loved? How do you build a life worth living?

Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can’t help but feel she’s right back where she started.

Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They will also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding—the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will’s past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future. . . .

For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. But here Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await.

If you've read Me Before You, you know what I was feeling when I finished it. I was utterly destroyed! I was a completely wrecked, sobbing mess of a person. I fell hard for, Lou and Will's story. It evoked such emotions in me that even I didn't understand. It left me pining for a happy ending for, Lou. Even though Will made the decision he did, he also gave Lou a reason to live.

After You picks up 18 months later in London, England. Lou has traveled Europe and has now settled down in an apartment and is working at an airport bar. The thing is she's not living at all! She ends up having a terrible accident and has to move back home for a few weeks. Somehow that stay ends up kicking her into high gear and she finally decides to move back to her apartment in the city. She has a very surprising visit soon after which puts her life in a bit of a tailspin. Will didn't just leave her with a letter, but with so much more. She also starts up an relationship with one of the EMT's that came to her rescue during her accident, Sam. I really love same, he is so full of wisdom, and willing to share it. He is one of the best things about this entire story!

All I wanted was to see a happy ending for, Lou. After everything that she went through 18 months prior I just wanted to see her happy and fulfilled, even in love again. I don't know if I'm satisfied with the ending though! I'm still left wondering. I feel like it's still incomplete. Even though the ending wasn't exactly what I wanted the story as a whole was very good. There are a few surprises thrown into the mix that made the story very interesting indeed.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus black-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah in her black swan burlesque costume is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town.

But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions"—mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed.

I was excited to start this book, but I was also extremely skeptical going into this book. The plot sounded intriguing, but I wasn't sure if I would totally get into this book. The beginning of the book felt a little slow, but yet, it was so addicting. I felt like not a lot was happening, but I couldn't stop reading the book. There was just something so mesmerizing about the writing and the world. I needed to see what was going to happen next. Even though the beginning felt slow, I feel like it was necessary for this book. The slower pace made it easier for me to understand this world and to get my mind wrapped around what was happening. The book eventually picked up in pace, and I felt like I was racing through this book. The ending was really interesting and action packed. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I am now so excited to read the next book in this series.

I will admit, this book was strange. I almost felt sick to my stomach due to the graphic descriptions of how the mystical creatures are treated in this book. It is so depressing, and aggravating. It is aggravating because I wish I could have done something to help the creatures, but I couldn't. It was also stressful because the main character really could not do much either. However, I felt like this made the book feel raw and powerful. Delilah's struggles in this book were so emotional and heart breaking. I just wanted to reach into the book and take her pain away. I wanted there to be a way for her to get out of her situation, but there wasn't. It was aggravating, but seeing her fight for freedom was addictive.

Even though she was in a horrible, situation, Delilah stayed strong. I really loved her character and I admired her a lot. I cannot wait to see how she develops in the next book! I also thought Gallagher was an extremely interesting character, and I loved his relationship with Delilah. I am looking forward to seeing more of him in the next book. I think Delilah and Gallagher would be a great couple romantically, but there was not any romance in this book. It might develop later on in this series, but it definitely is not a plot in this book.

Overall, I really liked this book! This book was gripping, moving, and disturbing. After finishing this book, I was in a book hangover. Then ending left me craving so much more. I screamed in aggravation because I didn't want the book to end!

I think a lot of people will like this unique book. It was nothing like I have ever read before, and I know this will be a book that sticks with me for a while.

Mendoza: I grew up in the slums and lost everything I loved to poverty, illness, and death. I had only one skill to leverage myself out of my circumstances—violence. Being hired out as a mercenary hitman brought me money and built an empire. But all that I've fought for is in jeopardy. My next job: Steal secret information that could bring down world governments. Find my target. Destroy it. But then, I meet her.

Ava: Karma hates me. When my best friend Rose is kidnapped, I have no choice but to take a job as a mule for a pair of criminals intent on selling top-secret information to the highest bidder. I should have known that bad luck tends to cling, because the plane I'm on goes down. That I survived a crash-landing was a miracle. And so was being rescued by Rafe Mendoza—hot, sexy, dangerous. The thing is, he wants the information that I need to free Rose. I can't let him have it, but I need his help. And I need to fight this crazy attraction for this mercenary with hungry eyes. Rose is depending on me, and I won't let her down, no matter how appealing Rafe is.

Ava is a hand model. She lives with her best friend who is a supermodel. They have been friends for years. Ava feels like she owes her a lot. When she is taken to Lima by her new boyfriend and her life is in danger, Ava is forced to travel to Lima and serve as a mule. She has no idea sensitive US information is on the line. The only thing on her mind is trying to survive the day. She needs help and she needs it now.

Rafe Mendoza is a mercenary. He's not afraid to do what needs to be done. However, this time the U.S. government has taken one of the members of his team in exchanged for retrieving the information taken by the people who are selling it in Lima. He had one goal in mind, to get the information and get out. He was not expecting Ava to complicate his plan.

I was so happy to start another book by these authors. Their stories are full of action and the characters are memorable. I have to tell you how much I enjoyed this one too. Ava made me laugh so many times and Godzilla almost became it's own character. Rafe was a mixture of badass with tenderness. Just the perfect mixture.

I do hope there are more books in the Hitman series.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

The ricochet of the bullet has swollen my eye shut. I might be slightly concussed from the free fall from six thousand feet into the jungle. I’ve no clue where we are and we have no supplies, but I’ve never been happier than when Ava stuck her tits into my face. Those babies felt like the softest pillows ever created and I would’ve been happy to suffocate in damp valley of cleavage. Maybe I’d even get the chance to lick her sweat away.

I might have groaned and pretended my injury was worse to lengthen the moment. Her delicate hands smoothed over my forehead and, it may have been my imagination, but it seemed liked she might’ve lingered over my hair. Dig in, I want to grunt.

“What the heck is that sound?” Ava clutches me to her.

If I don’t answer, does that mean I can stay in this position forever? Because I want to. Actually, no, I’d like to move over and suck one fat tit into my mouth until it’s hard as a diamond. Then I’d like to slide down until my mouth is level with her pussy and see how salty sweet she tastes between her legs. The beast between my legs roars to life and it’s a good thing that the monkeys above us scream again, causing her to jump and strike my good eye with her elbow. The pain serves as a reminder of where we are, who I am, and what the fuck I should be paying attention to.

“It’s the howler monkey. They sound like humans screaming or sometimes like the jaguar. They’re kind of dumb and if we found Afonso’s gun, we’d be able to kill one and have meat every night for a week.”

She shudders. “I don’t want to eat monkey.”

The jungle is hot and wet during the day and cold at night. If the mosquitos don’t eat you alive, the jaguars and anacondas might. Not very many people can crash-land into the middle of the Amazon and make it out alive, but I’m upping our odds from around 20 percent to 50 percent based on Ava’s positive attitude. Unless my eye heals up, I’m not giving us more than that. If we could find the Boy Scout bag, though, we could bring our odds up significantly.

“There’s plenty of food in the Amazon from plantains to fish, so if you don’t like monkey, we won’t eat it.”

She shudders again. “Thank you.”

“You a vegetarian?”

No, that couldn’t be right. Didn’t she eat some prosciutto at the café? But I want to hear it from her. I want to know everything about her.

“No, but for some reason eating something that screams like a human freaks me out.”

“Monkey is off the menu,” I say, making no attempt to move away from her rack. “I have a knife in my belt.”

“Do you have anything else besides the knife?” she asks. Her tone is accusatory like I’m holding out on her.

“No,” I say slowly. “Just the knife.”

She narrows her eyes and then reaches out with her good hand and pokes my waistline. “What about that?”

“My pants? I don’t think that they’d fit you or they’d be a good weapon. Besides, I’d rather my legs didn’t get eaten by mosquitos.”

“Look, if you just plan on leaving me behind, then do it now. Don’t string me along.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Just my luck to perv on a crazy woman.

“That!” she spits out, and this time her finger jabs lower, right into the meat of my dick. I flinch back. “I can tell you’re packing something. What’s that thing in your pocket?”

“None of your fucking business,” I growl out, my happy feeling sucked away. I can feel the heat rising in my face that has nothing to do with the humidity. I will my erection to subside but as she stares at it, it does nothing but grow.

“Oh my god. Is that a . . . that’s not a gun, is it?” Her lips part in shock.

“No.” The erection isn’t going to go down anytime soon. Not with her eyes wide with wonder. She raises her gaze to me and then drops back down again, and hell if she doesn’t lick her fucking lips. I turn away, unzip, and then pull the shaft straight up behind the waistband of my cargo pants. I fasten the zipper, carefully, and then pull my T-shirt down over the top. It hides most of the problem. “Let’s go.”

“I’m sorry,” she mumbles.

I surge to my feet, catching her off guard. She stumbles back and thankfully stops staring at my junk. “Enough,” I growl more roughly than I intend. “We have important things to concentrate on, like where are we going to sleep for the night.”

She looks stricken and nods in agreement. “Sorry, I just was taken by surprise. You don’t have to tell me what’s in your pocket if you don’t want to. But I need to remind you that we’re in this together.”

I feel like an ass. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry that she thinks my dick is fake. That’s a new one.

Jen Frederick lives with her husband, child, and one rambunctious dog. She's been reading stories all her life but never imagined writing one of her own. Jen loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at jensfrederick@gmail.com.

Jill Myles has been an incurable romantic since childhood. She reads all the 'naughty parts' of books first, looks for a dirty joke in just about everything, and thinks to this day that the Little House on the Prairie books should have been steamier.

After devouring hundreds of paperback romances, mythology books, and archaeological tomes, she decided to write a few books of her own - stories with a wild adventure, sharp banter, and lots of super-sexy situations. She prefers her heroes alpha and half-dressed, her heroines witty, and she loves nothing more than watching them overcome adversity to fall into bed together.